Audio Path Podcast

Artificial Intelligence is changing the music industry faster than ever, but is it helping creators or hurting them? In this episode, John and Trent share their firsthand experiences working with AI-generated music, including stories of losing projects, navigating copyright questions, and wrestling with the ethical and creative implications of artificial intelligence in the studio. From the future...

Strong artist relationships can make or break your career in audio. In this episode of Audio Path, Trent and John explore what it takes to build, maintain, and protect meaningful relationships with artists, drawing from their experiences in both the studio and live sound worlds. They discuss how first impressions can lead to long-term opportunities, why being calm and dependable under pressure mat...

For the first time on Audio Path, Trent and John welcome a special guest: Whitney Harrison, co-owner of Live at Ted’s in Wilmington, NC. Whitney shares what it’s really like to run an independent listening room—from booking artists and managing operations to surviving the challenges of COVID and building a thriving music community. The conversation covers the realities of venue ownership, common m...

Mastering is finally getting its moment on Audio Path . In this episode, John and Trent break down what mastering actually is, why it matters, and clear up some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the process. From loudness myths and streaming platform confusion to reference tracks and the difference between mixing and mastering, this crash course covers the essentials without the overwhelmi...

When is the right time to leave the day job and go all in on music? In this episode, John and Trent share the stories behind their transitions from part-time creatives to full-time audio professionals. From studio startups and freelance uncertainty to side hustles, networking, and taking calculated risks, they break down the realities of building a career in music and audio. They also talk about t...

This episode dives into the world of church music and its role as a powerful training ground for musicians. John and Trent unpack the tension between creativity and structure in modern worship, from “playing the parts” to finding your own voice. They explore how local churches can become launching pads for original music, why many great players come out of that environment, and how to take a song...

At some point, many audio professionals reach a turning point where their passion shifts from a hobby into a real business. In this episode, John and Trent discuss what it actually means to formalize your work as a studio owner, live sound tech, or musician. They break down the basics of operating as a sole proprietor versus forming an LLC, the benefits of liability protection, and how a business...

In this episode, John and Trent break down how they approach mixing from both the studio and the live sound perspective. Starting with the fundamentals of building a mix, they talk through their individual workflows, including starting with volume, organizing sessions, choosing when to use plugins, and shaping the overall feel of a song. They also discuss the pros and cons of mixing templates vers...

In this episode, John and Trent dive into the inevitable highs and lows of working in the music industry. From milestone moments like landing your first real client or working with notable artists, to the self-doubt, slow seasons, and identity struggles that can creep in, they unpack what it really looks like to build a sustainable career in audio. The conversation also explores the “feast or fami...

In this tech-focused episode of Audio Path , John and Trent break down why room tuning is essential to creating mixes that actually translate. They cover reflection points, room modes, speaker placement, acoustic treatment, and simple tools like the mirror trick to improve your listening position—even in small or square rooms. They also discuss headphone mixing, EQ correction tools like Sonarworks...

Burnout is something every creative faces eventually—but how do you recognize it, recover from it, and build a sustainable career that lasts? In this episode, John and Trent share honest stories from their own journeys through exhaustion, overwork, and creative fatigue in the music industry. They talk about the warning signs of burnout, the dangers of hustle culture, and practical ways to reset—fr...

In this episode of Audio Path, John and Trent dive deep into the often-overlooked art of live monitoring. From the early days of stage sound to modern in-ear systems, they break down what makes a great monitor mix and why it can make or break a performance. John shares hard-earned lessons from years in the monitor world, including best practices for in-ears, wedges, hybrid setups, and artist commu...

Analog versus digital is one of the most debated topics in audio, and in this episode of Audio Path, we finally dive in. From tape machines, recall sheets, and real-time automation to modern plugins, amp modelers, and fully in-the-box workflows, we unpack how the industry got here and why the argument still exists. John and Trent share their personal experiences working in hybrid, analog, and digi...

In this episode of Audio Path, we dive into the 80/20 rule and how it applies to life and work in the audio and music industry. From clients and gear to plugins, workflow, and saying no to the wrong opportunities, we explore how a small portion of your efforts often produces the biggest results. We talk about prioritizing the right projects, avoiding burnout, building trust through consistency, an...

In this episode of Audio Path, John and Trent take a brutally honest—and hilarious—look at the mistakes that can cost you the gig in both studio and live audio environments. From early-career blunders to fresh-off-the-road fails, they dig into real stories that reveal how ego, lack of preparation, bad attitudes, gear assumptions, and even boredom can sabotage your reputation fast. They also share...

In this honest and eye-opening episode, John and Trent pull back the curtain on one of the most challenging parts of working in the music industry—dealing with difficult artists and strained client relationships. Trent shares a recent real-world studio experience that went unexpectedly off the rails, walking through the red flags, communication breakdowns, revision overload, mismatched expectation...

John Kimbrough and Trent Harrison open up their gear cases and share the essential tools every audio engineer should have—whether you’re stepping into someone else’s studio or mixing live on the road. From communication tips to packing smart for any gig, they break down real-world strategies that keep sessions smooth and shows running strong. Tune in for practical insights, road-tested advice, and...

In this episode of Audio Path John and Trent dig into the essential business side of making music. They talk about how to copyright your songs the right way, why contracts matter and how to approach them without fear, and what you really need to know about royalties and getting paid. Along the way they share personal stories from their own experiences in the studio and explain how artists can prot...

Ever wonder what a typical day looks like for someone making a living in audio? In this episode, Trent and John pull back the curtain on their daily routines — from recording sessions, editing, mixing, and live sound gigs to the behind-the-scenes admin work that keeps everything running. They share real stories, honest insights, and lessons learned about scheduling, time management, boundaries, an...

In this episode of The Audio Path Podcast , John and Trent dive deep into how they each began their journeys as audio engineers—first as musicians on stage and then behind the console in the studio. They share personal stories of first gigs, DIY recordings, learning signal flow, and navigating early mistakes. Whether you’re dreaming of your first live gig or setting up your own home studio, you’ll...

In this episode of Audio Path , John Kimbrough and Trent Harrison dive into one of the biggest questions for musicians: how do you actually make money in the music industry? From gigging and merch sales to running a studio, teaching lessons, live sound, producing, sample packs, and even owning a venue, they share their own journeys, side quests, and the hard-won lessons they’ve learned along the w...

Building a home studio doesn’t have to be expensive or overwhelming. In this episode, we break down the essential gear, software, and room setup tips to help musicians, songwriters, and producers create professional recordings right from home.

Do you really need a music or audio degree to make it in the industry—or can you just jump right in? John Kimbrough and Trent Harrison share how their very different paths shaped their careers, from formal schooling and scholarships to self-teaching, internships, and real-world trial by fire. Packed with stories, lessons, and straight talk, this episode helps you figure out which path might be rig...

In Part 2 of our conversation on the music-making journey, we dive into what happens after the final master. You’ve poured your soul into the song—now what? In this episode, John and Trent break down the modern landscape of music distribution in 2025, exploring how to release your music effectively in a post-CD world. We unpack the pros and cons of platforms like DistroKid and CD Baby, discuss how...

Welcome back to Audio Path ! In this episode, we dive into the first half of what it takes to bring a song to life—from rough idea to polished track—before it ever hits streaming platforms. We walk through the real-world steps of recording: scratch tracks, studio sessions, editing, mixing, and mastering. Whether you're flying solo or working with a band, we share actionable advice, hard-earned...